So I finally got a T7 a few months ago and I am super hyped because I'm heading to Zion National Park next month for some serious hiking! I really want to get those big epic landscape shots but the kit lens just isn't cutting it for the scale of the canyons and everything. I've been looking at two main options but I'm totally torn right now.
- Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM: Everyone says it's the go-to budget pick and it's super light which is great for the trails.
- Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro: I heard this one is way better for low light and feels more solid but it's definitely heavier and more expensive.
My budget is strictly under $250 or maybe $300 if I find a good used deal because I already spent way too much on boots and camping gear for this trip lol. I'm leaning toward the Canon because of the image stabilization but I keep thinking that f/2.8 on the Tokina might be better if I try to do some stars at night? But then again the T7 doesn't have the best high ISO so maybe the aperture is more important? I need to pull the trigger by next week so it gets here in time for me to practice with it before we fly out. Is the Tokina worth the extra weight and price or should I just stick with the plastic fantastic Canon for a beginner?
Saw this earlier but just getting back to you. Zion is amazing but honestly, you gotta be careful with how much weight you're packing. I remember hiking up Observation Point with a heavy kit and I regretted every ounce by the halfway mark. You might want to consider the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM instead of those two. It's usually cheaper used than the Tokina but has a constant aperture which is nice for the T7 sensor. I'd suggest checking out MPB or KEH for used copies to stay well under that $250 budget. Also, just a heads up, make sure to watch for chromatic aberration on these budget wide angles when shooting high-contrast canyon edges... it can be a pain to fix later. Tbh, checking a site like The-Digital-Picture for side-by-side crops is a lifesaver before pulling the trigger. It really shows how much the corners soften up on these cheaper lenses.
Quick reply... are you planning on doing any night sky shooting or just day hiking? I dont want you overspending before your trip. You might want to consider looking at used listings for a Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD.
- check sites like MPB for deals
- verify the lens mount matches Manual lenses like a Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC are cheap but might be kinda tough for beginners.
Go for the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM without a doubt! Honestly for hiking Zion youll hate carrying that heavy Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 Pro DX II all day. It is way more practical for your first big trip.
- Its crazy light and fits your budget perfectly.
- Image stabilization is a lifesaver for handheld landscape shots.
- The colors are fantastic for those red rocks! Seriously, grab the Canon and dont look back!
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